Antioxidant containing composition and method

Abstract

A companion pet diet meeting ordinary nutritional requirements of the pet and further comprising a sufficient amount of an antioxidant or mixture thereof to inhibit the onset of deterioration of the mental capacity of said companion pet in its aged years.

1. A method for inhibiting the onset of deterioration of the mental capacity of a canine or feline companion pet of 7 years or older, the method comprising feeding said pet when it is 1 to 6 years old a diet that comprises a sufficient amount of an antioxidant or mixture of antioxidants to accomplish this inhibition. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the pet is a canine. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the pet is a feline. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein Vitamin E is fed to the pet in an amount of at least about 100 ppm of the diet. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid and mixtures thereof is fed to the pet. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid and mixtures thereof is fed to the pet. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein Vitamin C is fed to the pet in an amount of at least about 50 ppm of the diet. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein alpha-lipoic acid is fed to the pet in an amount of at least about 25 ppm of the diet. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  wherein L-carnitine is fed to the pet in an amount of at least about 50 ppm of the diet. 
     
     
       10. A method for improving a canine or feline companion pet's ability when 7 years or older to resist oxidative damage, the method comprising feeding said pet when it is 1 to 6 years old a diet meeting nutritional requirement, said diet having at least about 25 ppm alpha-lipoic acid and said diet being fed for at least one month. 
     
     
       11. A method for inhibiting the loss of learning ability of a canine or feline companion pet of 7 years or older, the method comprising feeding the pet when it is 1 to 6 years old an antioxidant or mixture of antioxidants at levels sufficient to accomplish said inhibiting, said antioxidant being selected from the group consisting of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, L-carnitine and mixtures thereof.